Top 10 Extreme Sports Vacations in Australia and the South Pacific

Boasting the adventure nation of the world, New Zealand, the South Pacific is a true adventure destination for any adrenalin junkie. We’d need a top 100 to even start covering the options available in this region. Take in bungee jumping where it was first invented, heli bike in Canberra, go caving in the Blue Mountains or ice dive in Antarctica.

Bungee Jumping, Queenstown, New Zealand
Go to the home of the bungee jump at Kawarau Bridge, Queenstown for your own 3-2-1 jump into nothing. An instant thrill and a complete adrenaline rush.

Ice diving, Antarctica
Plunge into the icy waters of Antarctica for a truly experiential dive. Dives vary from shallow ice diving along ice floes to deeper shore dives. The fantastic shades of color under the water are quite amazing and there is a superb variety of marine life. You might even see seals, penguins and whales.

Jet boating, Shot Over River Canyons, New Zealand
This is one of the world’s best jet boat rides and shunts you along at lip cracking speed along the spectacular Shotover River Canyons. Skim past rocky outcrops, twist at hurtling speeds and get the heart pumping.

Heli biking adventures, Sparrow Hill, Canberra
For a glimpse of trail riding heaven get dropped off by helicopter on to Sparrow Hill, one of Australia’s leading mountain biking courses. Whistle down the pine trails over 15 miles, which offer something for all skill levels.

Caving, Blue Mountains, New South Wales
The Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains are spectacular. A labyrinth of caverns, each boasting its own stalactites and stalagmites are accessible even for novice cavers.

Kite surfing, Rakiraki, Fiji
One of the South Pacific’s kite surfing paradises is at Sandy Point where long winds blast down amongst the islands. Shred up the mile long beaches and enjoy a lazy moment in a hammock afterwards.

Freestyle skiing, Wanaka, New Zealand
Head to the Wanaka snow fields just north of Queenstown for the first dedicated freestyle resort, Snow Park. The pipes, terrain park, bordercross course and rail park have new jumps, metal rails and fun boxes for you to go nuts with your high flying skills.

Rappelling / abseiling, Queenstown
If you fancy a short challenge or adrenaline fix after lunch or just before dinner, consider the breathtaking climb up the Rungway and the exciting abseil down. Twelve routes of varying length and difficulty snake up the majestic cliffs of Queenstown Hill. Each route is equipped with fixed rung and cable systems. If that sounds too tame then head out of town to the stunning Remarkables or the Southern Lakes for rock climbing, abseiling or mountaineering.

Wake boarding, Murray River, South Australia
In drought stricken Australia many rivers and creeks that used to hold wake life have dried up. So the ultimate wake boarder’s paradise is still its biggest river. The Murray is unaffected by drought and you can wakeboard from your houseboat at Mannum or on many private and public boat ramps along the river.

Land diving, Vanuatu
Land diving on Pentecost Island originated many moons ago, long before bungee jumping was even contemplated. There’s a legend to how this started but today it’s an annual custom coinciding with the Yam harvest. Participants jump from a high tower with flexible vines tied to their feet.